their condition. Once these often life saving first aid
actions are taken the patient can be transferred to the
care of medical professionals to continue their recovery.
The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981
require the employer or responsible person to provide
adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and
personnel to enable first aid to be given to employees if
they are injured or become ill at work. Employers should
make an assessment of their first aid needs in terms
of the equipment and staff required and arrangements
for liaising with emergency services. The assessment
should include consideration of the following factors:
➤ Any specific risks, e.g.:
➤ Hazardous substances
➤ Dangerous tools
➤ Dangerous machinery
➤ Dangerous loads or animals
➤ The disposition of different risks, e.g. offices and
process areas
➤ The number and types of previous injuries
➤ The numbers of persons on site
➤ Any employees with disabilities or special health
problems
➤ Hours of work, e.g. 24/7 or normal office hours
➤ Arrangements for any lone workers.
6.6.2 Equipment
There is no standard list of items that should be contained
within a first aid box. The contents of the first aid
box will be dictated by the outcome of the assessment.
However, where there is no special risk in the workplace,
a minimum stock of first aid items is likely to include:
➤ A leaflet giving general guidance on first aid, e.g.
HSE leaflet ‘Basic Advice on First Aid at Work’ (see
‘Where can I get further information?’)